"My Lord de Boteler," said Sir Robert Knowles, "do you remember the circumstance of a certain vassal of yours being accused of shooting a buck?"
"Yes, perfectly."
"His name, I think, was Stephen Holgrave—the same Holgrave that was among the rebels, is it not?"
"The same man, Sir Robert."
"So I thought," returned the knight; "but, however, that must not weigh now. Have you a vassal named John Byles?"
Calverley, who was handing a replenished goblet to Sir Robert's page, started so much at this interrogatory, that the wine-cup dropped from his hands.
"Yes," replied De Boteler.
"Has that man a wife named Mary?"
"He has," quickly replied Isabella, unable to divine the cause of such singular enquiries.
"Then, my lord, I request that John Byles and his wife be instantly brought before us; and with your leave, no one passes from this hall except my page, till they appear," continued Sir Robert, as he observed a movement in the steward, indicating an intention to retire.